Named a notable program by US News and World Report, we offer a speech surgery clinic to evaluate and treat resonance disorders in children. Resonance disorders occur when there's an opening, inconsistent movement or obstruction that changes the way air flows through the mouth and nose during speech.
They can be caused by velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI), which occurs when the opening between the soft palate and the pharynx doesn't close properly during speech. Some children born with a cleft palate will develop VPI due to the mobility or length of the palate.
If your child requires speech surgery, we will develop an individualized treatment plan for him or her. Surgical options include:
Following surgery, your child will likely need speech therapy to practice correct articulation and develop good speech habits.
Director, Pediatric Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery; Medical Director, James A. Lehman Jr., MD Craniofacial Center and Speech Resonance Clinic; Pediatric Craniofacial Surgeon